Holden Beach in January

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE THE BEACH!  Well I do!  Our good friends the Basiles after much effort, aggravation and tears bought a beautiful beach house in Holden Beach (the tears and aggravation were because it was a short-sale).  They closed right before Christmas and invited us down after the holiday.  The place had been a rental for the last seven years so it needed some cleaning and love and more cleaning.  So we set out to do just that but along the way had some fun, found some awesome shells and got to hang out with awesome friends!

Don and Nick moved all of the furniture around in the house and Rachel and I cleaned each room from top to bottom, blinds, walls, floors and furniture.  The boys...well, Cody, Justin, Kyle and Ryan played on the beach and played on the wii.  Boys will be boys.

Our last morning there Kyle, Justin, Ryan, Don and I headed down the beach for a walk, it was a gorgeous day and to our surprise we found about 15 conch shells, 2 sand dollars, 2 sea biscuits.  I was one happy girl!  The boys were so excited running from shell to shell.  We could see the conch shells from a distance sticking out of the sand.  There was a storm the night before and it must have stirred things up, there was also a huge tree that had washed up on shore as well!

Shorts and sweatshirts in December, I just love NC!  Now that I look through the pictures we have no pictures of Cody, well he is in high school now.  I am going to have to make a mental note next time and try to catch him off guard and snap one!  We even have pictures of sweet Abby the dog.

Can you believe the boys helping cook! Rachel out did herself, we had surf and surf and turf. Lobster tails, awesome shrimp in a cilantro pesto and steak!  Yummy! We sure don't eat like that at home.  Love Rachel's cooking!! :)

Ginerbread house at Ballantyne

I love gingerbread houses, Ballantyne Resort had a great exhibit of houses, so the boys, my mom and I headed over a few days after Christmas. A beautiful hotel and a beautiful display.  Justin and Ryan are always fascinated by nutcrackers too!

Mexican Train

We always like to get in a family game when Nick is here, we have been teaching the younger boys how to  play Mexican train.  We were able to squeeze in a game the day after Christmas.

It is only a 4 player game so Ryan and I are usually partners.  The boys have come a long way in their game playing skills, especially Nick.  I can remember him almost always coming in last, he came in a close 2nd to Don!

Our Christmas

We were looking forward to spending some time with Nick this Christmas.  He is stationed in Fort Carson, CO.  He flew in on December 22nd and came over to our house on December 25th to spend the night. Justin and Ryan came over as well on the 25th after lunch from their dad's.  Santa had been to our house.

I love the spirit of Christmas and the togetherness of family.  The stress and craziness before I could do without but I love that we all come together as one family and spend some quality time together. They grow up so fast but it is nice to slow down for at least one day.  Nick is 18 years old and in the Army living across the U.S. from us, Justin is 12 years old in 7th grade, the age you become more interested in your friends and Ryan is 10 years old.

There were smiles from everyone, good food, good conversation and good dessert.  Isn't that what it is all about!

And some family pictures of course.....

Getting Ready for Christmas

Christmas has come and gone.  It was a little different this year because of Ryan's surgery.  We made grandma Sinnott's butter cookies the week of Dec 9th so Ryan could enjoy them before the tonsils came out.  We did squeeze in a lot before Dec 17th.  Got our tree and decorated it.  Made our gingerbread house.  Note the dog by the tree seems to peeing on the tree...Ryan's idea!

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